#1
#1 out of 13.9K est. views
world15h ago
My kids have a 17-year age-gap. Motherhood is very different this time around.
- A mother had two children 17 years apart, which changes how she experiences parenting both times.
- The second time around, motherhood feels quieter, more deliberate, and grounded in self-knowledge.
- The author notes less fear and more calm when sharing life with a younger sibling for her firstborn.
- Travel and experiences like glaciers and safaris mark how the family expands without erasing the past.
- The piece emphasizes that 'love isn't about perfection; it's about showing up' across two generations.
- The author discovers that 'presence matters more than perfection' as children and families grow.
- The essay moves from early anxiety to confident, grounded parenting in East Africa with a blended family.
- The author reflects on the first daughter's growing up during the mother’s youth and the son receiving a calmer version of parenting.
- The piece highlights the writer's journey from fear to gratitude and a nuanced view of motherhood.
- The article underscores that timing shapes parenting, not just love or effort.
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